Liverpool stunned as classy midfield target reaches ‘total’ agreement with familiar foe
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
A Premier League-based midfielder Liverpool have been heavily linked with in recent weeks has reached a total agreement to join a different side for a knock-down fee, per a report.
Midfield additions are expected to dominate the agenda at Anfield this summer. Indeed, with Arthur Melo (loan expiry), Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (free agents) all leaving, an overhaul is now a neccessity and no longer a luxury.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister looks set to be the first of many to join the Reds. Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi recently confirmed Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa is likely to be the Argentine’s last game for the club.
A deal worth roughly £70m has reportedly been agreed and trusted journalist Gaston Edul declared on Sunday night: “Anfield Road awaits”.
Speculation had begun to grow classy Wolves captain, Ruben Neves, could follow Mac Allister to Merseyside. The 26-year-old Portugal international is out of contract at the end of next season and as such, will be allowed to leave this summer to ensure Wolves collect a fee.
Football Insider stated a bid in the region of £50m would be accepted and Liverpool were showing ‘strong interest’. However, according to Spanish outlet AS, the Reds have been usurped by Barcelona.
Barcelona strike cut-price Ruben Neves agreement – report
Indeed, AS (who cite Portuguese outlet A Bola), state Neves ‘will become a Barca player in the coming days’.
A ‘total’ agreement – i.e. on both the transfer fee and personal terms – has reportedly been thrashed out. Barcelona will pay Wolves around €30m (approx. £26m) for the midfielder’s signature.
That is some way below what other outlets have quoted as being required to sign Neves this summer. However, the presence of super agent Jorge Mendes may be playing a part in that regard.
Mendes is Neves’ agent and has a close working relationship with both Wolves and Barcelona.
Adding their take to the story, the Daily Mail report the Neves deal has been ‘orchestrated by Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes’.
Manager Xavi is understood to hold reservations over Neves, though it appears his opinions have been bypassed in this instance.
Barcelona have a history of torpedoing Liverpool in the market. Indeed, the Reds saw three of their finest players plucked by the Catalan giant when Javier Mascherano, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho were all signed in recent times.
The Spanish side now look set to derail Liverpool once again, though this time by signing one of their transfer targets in the form of Ruben Neves.
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